What is an Electric Car?
An electric car is a car that is driven by an electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or other energy storage places. Electric cars were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but then their popularity waned due to advances in internal combustion engine technology and lower prices for gasoline-fueled vehicles. The energy crisis of the 1970s and 1980s had sparked little interest in electric cars, but it wasn't until the 2000s that new vehicle manufacturers took electric vehicles seriously. This is due to the soaring price of oil in the 2000s and many people in the world who are already aware of the bad impact of greenhouse gas emissions.[1][2] As of November 2011, the electric models available and sold in the markets of several countries are Tesla Roadster, REVAi, Renault Fluence ZE, Buddy, Mitsubishi i MiEV, Tazzari Zero, Nissan Leaf, Smart ED, Wheego Whip LiFe, Mia electric, and BYD e6. The Nissan Leaf, with sales of over 20,000 units worldwide (as of November 2011),[3] and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, with global sales of over 17,000 units (as of October 2011), are the world's two best-selling electric cars.[ 4]
Electric cars have several potential advantages over traditional internal combustion engines. The main thing is that electric cars do not produce motor vehicle emissions.[5][6][7] In addition, this type of car also reduces greenhouse gas emissions because it does not require fossil fuels as the main driver.[1][2] In the end, dependence on oil from abroad is reduced, because for some developed countries such as the United States and many European countries, rising oil prices can hit their economies.[1][8][9] For developing countries, high oil prices have further burdened their balance of payments, thus hampering their economic growth.[10][11] Another advantage is that electric cars do not cause noise pollution and therefore can be beneficial for the environment.[12]
Although electric cars have several potential advantages as mentioned above, the widespread use of electric cars has many obstacles and drawbacks.[1][2] As of 2011, the price of electric cars is still much more expensive when compared to ordinary internal combustion engine cars and hybrid electric vehicles due to the expensive price of lithium ion batteries.[13] However, currently battery prices are starting to fall as they are being produced in large quantities.[14] Another factor that hinders the growth of the use of electric cars is the lack of charging stations for electric cars, plus the fear of motorists that the car's battery will run out before they reach their destination. Several governments in several countries in the world have issued several incentives and regulations to overcome this problem, the aim of which is to increase sales of electric cars, to finance the development of electric car technology so that the price of batteries and car components can be more efficient. The United States government has provided a US$2.4 billion grant for the development of electric cars and batteries.[15] The Chinese government announced that it would provide US$15 billion to start the electric car industry in the country.[16] Several local and national governments in many countries have issued tax credits, subsidies, and many other incentives to reduce the price of electric cars and plug-in cars.[17][18][19][20]
In Indonesia itself, on April 1, 2012 the government disbursed 100 billion rupiah for electric car research.[21] Then on June 10, 2013 the government affirmed that electric vehicles are tax-free.[22] And then on June 12, 2013 Zbee from Sweden officially opened an electric vehicle factory under the name PT Lundin Industry, which is located in Banyuwangi City, East Java, with a production target of at least 100,000 units per year.
